Weekly Scott Patton Fishing Article

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Scott Patton will be doing a weekly article on Fishin.com
Scott Patton Outdoors

March Madness
March is a month of up and down weather patterns for fishermen. A lot goes on in the under water world of the bass during this month. A comfortable warming trend can set in with only to have Mother Nature pull the rug out from under or boat decks. I know it can be frustrating trying to fish in twenty eight degree air temps when the day before it was a nice sunny seventy degrees. Yes the sun feels just as good to the bass as it does to us. Truth be known probably better to this cold blooded creature. I cant do much with Mother Natures dealings but just put up with it, and fish.

One thing I try not to do early in the spring is to get the idea that the bass have moved to far from shallow water. Although they may move shallow, they wont be far from deeper water. So I try to focus my fishing on channel banks moving back into the creeks. I like to keep the boat in at least ten feet of water and fish according to the days current weather. At this time of year you will have to adjust as the day progress. Early I will tend to fish a little deeper, say if im fishing a jig. I will fish the bait out to the boat to see if the bass are holding deeper and more than likely they will be. In the morning at this time of year they wont move to the shore line to feed like in the warmer months. The bass will feed at the warmest time of the day, say around one or two in the afternoon. At that time is when I will start fishing the shore line.

The best technique is to fish slow! You can cover a lot of water but just don’t fish your bait to fast. You will end up over fishing the fish. It doesn’t matter what lure im catching fish on I know I have to fish in tune with the natural world. What I mean by this is that there isn’t any creature that lives in the water that will be moving at high rates of speed, when the water temp is in the fifties so keep this in mind.

Awareness is the doorway to fishing success!

Scott Patton
Scott is sponsored by: Nitro Boats, Tracker Marine, Mercury Outboards, St. Croix Rods, Crown Spray Power and Boat & R/V Cleaner, ZOOM,

His Web site is www.scottpattonoutdoors.com

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Scott Patton Outdoors





Spring is upon us now and it’s always been a great time of year to catch some nice Bass. I will always look for bass in the major creeks at this time of season. To locate the Bass it will depend on what type of cover the lake you decide to fish has to offer. But some of the best will always be near a channel edge of some type. Fish will start moving toward some shallow water area, and that is because they instinctively know that it won’t be long till its spawning season. So look for deeper water close to a good spawning flat with a hard bottom and some cover.

Some of the lures that I will use will be small crankbaits usually with light line, So that I can fish them easily and get a little extra depth out of them. These small baits don’t have a large bill on them so they won’t dive deep, plus there light and hard to cast. I will add lead tape to the lures to get some extra weight to them. Also using a spinning rod will help. Another lure that is a must is a Jerk Bait. I will fish it on 10 to 14 pound test line and you can use a spinning rod or baitcasting on this. I like the jerk bait when the water temperature is below 55 degrees. One last thing you don’t want to forget is the jig. It’s an awesome bait for catching some big fish. I will fish it on the bluff walls or around any shallow water stumps that I can find. I will use my flipping stick and 20 to 30 pound test Bass Pro Shop line with a ¼ to a ¾ ounce jig depending on the depth.



Awareness is the doorway to fishing success!

Scott Patton



Scott Fishes the ESPN BASS TOUR and is sponsored by: Nitro Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Mercury Outboards, St. Croix Rods, Crown Spray Power an Boat and RV Cleaner, ZOOM, Bluegrass Lures, riverfencecompany.com, scottpattonoutdoors.com

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Scott Patton Outdoors

The search for spawn/spawning bass





It is now time to look for those pre spawn and spawning bass. This is when bass fishing is awesome. It is when the bass is feeding in the shallows and the action is fast and furious.

It will usually start early, at daylight and a fish ½ ounce spinner bait white or white and chartreuse depending on the water color. With willow leaf blades. I will always use a trailer hook also. This will catch a lot of short striking fish. I like to fish the spinner bait fairly fast and close to the surface early and on cloudy or windy days. On sunny days I’ll fish it a little slower keeping the bait right out of sight. I don’t want to fish it slow here because you are always trying to get a reaction strike. And if you fish it slow, the fish may see the bait coming and refuse to strike.

The types of areas I will look for are main lake pockets and pockets off major creek arms. Look for shallow water 1-3 feet range and there would need to be some type of cover in the area as well. Weeds, laydowns, and docks are the main cover of course. When fishing docks fish will spawn on the walk way of the dock coming off the bank.

Another lure I will use a lot at this type of year is a ZOOM trick worm, my favorite being a yellow or white, I like using spinner tackle with this lure because it enables me to skip the lure back into the thick cover. When you cast out to skip a lure back into the thick cover it’s just like skipping a rock. Use the same side arm action as you do when skipping a rock. This will take a little practice but it will defiantly be worth the effort.



Good fishing, Scott Patton



Scott Fishes the ESPN BASS Tour and is sponsored by: Nitro Boats, Mercury Marine, St. Croix Rods, ZOOM, Crown Spray Power,

His web site is www.scottpattonoutdoors.com

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Scott Patton Outdoors

Spring fishing is something we all look forward to. It’s also something the fish look forward to. As the water begin to warm up and the bass’ metabolism begins to increase, the fisherman can find active fish in his home waters. There are several things that an angler should consider just before going to the lake, launching the boat, and going fishing. One of those things can be the main ingredient to catching fish and that is picking the right location to fish.

In the spring the things I take into consideration is what type of lake it is. 1) Is the lake a flat land lake, a high land, or a mountain land lake? 2) What is the overall make up of the lake: rock, sand, mud? 3) What is the secondary type of cover: grass, rock, wood? You also have to determine what the surrounding terrain is like. What I mean when I ask what the terrain like, I mean what is the terrain like in several miles away have to do with the water your fishing. This is a very important factor because if it is an area that s farmland, a lot of this land will be freshly plowed. And in the spring we have a lot of rainfall and when that rain hits the freshly plowed field it is easily turned into mud. It washes out into nearby streams and creeks and then washer right into the lake and this creates muddy water.

In the early spring this muddy water mixed with cold water temperatures can spell disaster. This condition may lead you to fish the main lake where the water isn’t always turned muddy yet, especially if the rains are pretty recent. One tip that has always helped me a lot if the spring rains muddy what seems to be the entire lake. If it has been a few days since any rain has fallen, follow a major creek channel all the way towards the back. You may be surprised with the clean fresh water you’ll find. The back of these creeks can really clear up fast, while the rest of the lake can still be muddied up. You’ll usually find good fishing in these locations.

The lure I will use in muddy water are a black and chartreuse jig with a rattle, a chartreuse spinnerbait with a single #5 or larger Colorado style blade, and a plastic lizard with a rattle inserted into it. Fish the lizards Texas style and fish all these lures slowly.

Now if you find clear water in the back of these creeks; fish a jerk bait around any rocks, wood, or grass that you can find. A fluke is another lure to use. Fish it in the same area you would fish the Jerk bait. If the fish won’t take these first offerings, I’ll then look to my jigs to entice them. I’ll fish a 1/8 or ¼ oz jig combined with a super chunk, black and blue or brown and black or a pumpkin seed is also a good clear water choice.



Scott Patton Fishes the ESPN BASS Tour and is sponsored by; Nitro Boats, Mercury Outboards, Tracker Marine, St.Croix rods, Crown Spray Power & Boat/RV Cleaner, ZOOM, Bluegrass Lures, River Fence Co.

His web site is www.scottpattonoutdoors.com

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Nitro Boats/Mercury Outboards

Spinnerbaits for success

Spinnerbaits are one of my top choices when it comes to locating bass. This bait can cover a lot of water quickly and effectively. It can be fished on the surface on the bottom, and anywhere in between. They are virtually snag free in any type of cover. Spinnerbaits come in a variety of sizes and colors. A spinnerbait comes in sizes from 1/8 to 1 ounce and it’s the 1/8 size that is almost always over looked. It’s not a bait that is fished in every situation but when the water is cold and the bass are sluggish, then this light weight bait can catch a lot of bass. It can be fished at extremely slow speeds, there for it will stay in the strike zone a lot longer.

Although there are a lot of sizes you can fish my primary spinnerbait size is a ½ ounce pro style spinnerbait that I designed myself for Bluegrass lures. It’s a very universal spinnerbait and I can fish it fast, I like to do this cause I like to create a reflex strike when fishing it. I like a tandem spinnerbait about 75% of the time. I prefer a gold willow leaf in the back and a nickel Colorado in the front. The blade size will be determined by the water clarity that I’m fishing. I will use smaller blades in clear water and larger blades the more off colored water. Also I will use a Colorado blade in the stained to muddy water; this blade will give off more vibration than a willow leaf blade.

I feel that skirt colors should be kept simple. I basically use four colors, chartreuse, white, white and chartreuse, and shad. I like to keep things as natural and simple as possible.

Something else I will do is use a trailer hook about 99% of the time when I’m fishing , I prefer the bass Pro Shop red trailer hooks this gives a bleeding or wounded look to the bait so it looks as a easy meal to the bass.

Scott is sponsored by: Nitro boats, Mercury Outboards, St.Croix Rods, ZOOM, Crown Spray Power, Costa Del Mar, Bluegrass Lures, riverfencecompany.com

I am looking for a sponsor to wrap my boat and truck for the ESPN Bassmasters Tour, If your are interested in this marketing opportunity please contact me at [email protected]

[publican57]

Thank you for posting this. I checked out his website and read his articles. They were interesting and helpful.

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Scott Patton Outdoors

Brought to you by:

Nitro Boats/Mercury Outboards

One thing just about any man made reservoir has is rip rap. This is also a man made structure. Rip rap is the large 7 to 10 inches in diameter rocks along bridges. Rip rap is also along areas that may have erosions. Rip rap is a key structure in the spring and fall.

In the spring the rocks will collect heat and hold it when the water is still cold. This is one area that heats up quicker so fish are attracted to it for these reasons. To me the fall is a much better time to fish rip rap. The rocks have collected a coating of moss growing on them. If you would rub your hand on the ones that are submerged you’ll feel the slickness of them. It is what shad are drawn to and feed on during the fall. When fall brings its cooler water temps. There is more oxygen in this area and shad. The angler who knows these things will be quicker at finding feeding fish and can usually run the rip rap all over the lake in a day’s time and have a very successful catch. Now we know when, where, and why to fish rip rap so let’s talk about how to catch them.

There are several baits on the market that will catch fish on rip rap, but keep in mind the fish are looking for shad. I try to imitate the shad. Certain days it may take other baits but my choices are usually crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits.

In the spring one other bait that I will use is a ZOOM trick worm or fluke. These baits are great when the water temperatures are rising into the 60° mark. They are used to catch really big fish. I’ll use a fluke or a trick worm with 15 to 20 lb test line on either a bait casting or a spinning outfit. I twitch the bait really slow and hang on tight. I know this pattern will catch fish just about anywhere, providing of course, there are fish there.

So be sure to use these techniques this spring and again this fall. Please remember to do your part in helping on keeping our earth clean and healthy.

Scott is sponsored by: Nitro boats, Mercury Outboards, St.Croix Rods, ZOOM, Crown boat and RV Cleaner, Crown Spray Power,Costa Del Mar, Tracker Marine,Bluegrass Lures, riverfencecompany.com

I am looking for a sponsor to wrap my boat and truck for the ESPN BassMasters Tour, If your are interested in this marketing opportunity please contact me at [email protected]

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Scott Patton Outdoors

Brought to you by: Nitro Boats
A lot of anglers don’t realize just how versatile crankbaits can be in heavy cover. Such as stumps, tree tops and other types of cover. Crankbaits can range in the price of Five dollars to thirty five dollars. So most anglers are reluctant to fish them in a place where they may loose their baits. The typical bait would be a spinnerbait, jig or some type of plastic. But you have to stop and think that’s the lures the fish see over and over. Its what I call the path of least resistant.

So that’s why I will fish these crankbaits in the thickest cover I can find. And that really pays off to me in tournaments. What you must do is choose the right crankbait for the given cover and depth. You want to choose a bait that will run right over the top of the cover, but you want it to still hit and bounce off the cover as you fish it thru it. The deflecting lure is what will cause a reflex strike from the fish. You need to know your crankbaits, at what depth they run and on what size line to fish them on. I will usually start with 14 to 17lb test fluorocarbon bass Pro Shop Line, I like it because it is tough and is virtually invisible to the fish. I will use a glass crankbait rod in a seven foot length.

By fishing a crankbait where others are fishing spinnerbaits you are fishing a highly productive lure to the fish. A lure that they are not accustomed to seeing.

While fishing a crankbait in these areas don’t get frustrated at getting snagged. Because if you will practice this on the water you’ll be catching a lot of that other anglers will be passing by.

Awareness is the doorway to fishing success!

Scott Fishing the ESPN BASS Tour and is sponsored by Nitro Boats, Mercury Outboards, Bass Pro Shops, St. Croix Rods, Crown Spray power, ZOOM, Bluegrass Lures, River Fence Co.

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Scott Patton Outdoors

Catching fish in the summer will require a few deep water techniques: deep water crankbaits and deep water worming or jigging. Both of these techniques are done in the same underwater locations. Which one to use is the question anglers ask me during seminars and boat shows.

First let’s talk about the location to use these techniques. I’ll look for under water humps, points, and drop offs. These places will usually be best if located on the lower end of the lake – the section of the lake that is closest to the dam. The depth range will be on the average of 12 to 25’ deep. Look in this range to locate your drop offs and humps. I also want to find some type of cover in these areas, although just a change in depth will attract fish.

There is one major factor when deciding what technique will work best and at what time and that is WIND! Wind will create a current in the water, break the light penetration, and cause the fish to feed. During these conditions, I’ll fish a crankbait. My favorite deep water crankbaits are the Poes 400 and the DD22. Both of these lures come in a variety of colors, depth ranges, and sizes. I use the DD22 in colder water situation – say 65º and below. I’ll switch to the Poes in warmer water temps. Now if the wind is not blowing and I have calm water situation I’ll have to worm, jig, or Carolina Rig a ZOOM worm or lizard in the same areas.

Keep a positive attitude,
Keep casting, and
Keep FISHING!!!

Scott competes on the ESPN BassMaster Tour. He is sponsored by Nitro Boats, Mercury Outboards, St. Croix Rods, Crown Spray Power/Boat and RV Cleaner, ZOOM, Costa Del Mar, Bluegrass Lures

www.scottpattonoutdoors.com